Speed-controlling and reversing apparatus for motor-vehicles.



H. T. COLDWELL.

SPEED comnomn'e AND nnvmsme APiABA'IUS ron MOTOR vnmoms.

- Arrmcumk ruin]; I'EB.12,190.8

902,560. Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

4 sums-sum 1.

F By I I Allm'ney 0 H. T. COLDWELL.

SPEED CONTROLLING AND REVERSING APPARATUS FOR. MOTOR VEHICLES.

' APPLICATION FILED IEB.12.1908.

9-02 ,5 60. Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Z 4 SHBETSQ-SEEBT z. a 7 7/ 6 j [NVENTOR H. T. GOLDWELL.

SPEED CONTROLLING AND BEVTBBSING APBABATUS P01! MOTOR, VEHICLES.Arrmoulon nun r3112, 1908;

902,560. I Patntd- Nov. 3, 1908.

WITNES [NI/ENTOR I I 4pm. 3Y6 9. K A m/WM H. T. COLDWBLL. G ANDREVERSING APPARA TUS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

SPEED GONTROLLIN APPLICATION FILED FEB. 12, 1908 Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

[NVE/VTOR STAT S PATENT O Q HARRY T. OOLDWELL, OF NEWFURGH, NEW YORK.

SPEED-CONTROLLING AND REVERSING APPARATUS FOR MOTOR-VEHICLES.

4 Nb. 902,5oo.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 3, 1908.

Application filed February 12, 1908. Serial No. 415,544.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY T. COLDWELL, citizen of theUnited States,residing at New burgh, in the county of Orange and State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Speed-Controllingand Reversing. Apparatus for Motor- Vehicles; and'I do hereby declarethe following to i the accompanying drawings which illustrate the bestform in whichI have contemplatedembodying it, and said invention isfully disclosed V in the following description and claims.

The object of my present invention is to provide a very simple andetiicient controlling apparatus for motor vehicles and the like, capableof use with the more ordinary form of change speed gearing now in use,and which is provided with means for preventing a change of speed ordirection without first releasing the ordinary engine clutch, and alsowith means for locking the control lever in position laterally to.-,throw in any selected gearing, and with means for further locking theleverlongitudinally in the operative or inoperative position withrespect to the selected gearing.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown my invention in connectionwith a passing through sliding gear change speed and reverse mechanismin ordinary use, but it is not limited in use to this particular form ofgearing as variations may be made therein. For example in the form ofgearing here shown, a single push rod controls the gears for threespeeds ahead, and reverse, but my invention is equally applicable togear mechanisms providing less or more speed changes, and also to thosein which the reversing of the driven shaft or shaft section is effectedby a separate rod or device as hereinafter explained.

Referring to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 represents a sectionalview of my control apparatus in its simplest form, adapted to be appliedto a form of sliding gear change speed-mechanism in which the gearchangesforspeeds ahead and reverse are c complishediby, a singleinstrumentality. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of theguiding plate forthe control lever, shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view ofa; form of change speed mechanism with which my invention can beadvantageously employed, and in which all changes for speeds ahead andreverse are effected by the movement of a single instrumentality. Fig. 4is a sectional View on line 4-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged planview of the locking plate detached. Fig. 6 is a plan view of a modifiedform of guiding plate for the controlling lever. Fig.

7 is a plan view of the locking plate used in connection therewith. Fig.8 is a plan view of another modified form of guiding plate.

'Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view of one of the pivoted latches. Fig. 9is a plan view of the locking plate used in connection therewith.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of a slight modification showing the lower endof the lever, and a separate shifting rod for the reverse gear. Fig. 11is a detail of a modification of my invention. Fig. 12 is a detail planview of the locking plate for preventing the progressive movement of theshifting lever to throw in ahigherspeed, without releasing the clutch.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a type of change speed gearing in which Arepresents the gear casing, B the driving shaft, and B the driven shaft.Shaft B is connected by universal-joint C (or otherwise) with thedriving mechanism of the vehicle. E represents the engine or motor shaftand D is the usual clutch for connecting the engine shaft with thedriving shaft B. The driving shaft B is provided with pinions 1, 2, 3and 'rigidly secured thereto and the pinion l meshes with an idle pinion5 mounted on a separate stud. On the driven shaft B which is preferablysquared is mounted a sl ding sleeve B rotatable with said shaft memberand carrying the gears 63, 7 and 8. F represents a sliding bar or rodmounted in the gear case A and carrying a yoke 7' which engages thesleeve B for sliding the latter on shaft B. The rod F is preferablyprovided with an arm or lug 7" extending upwardly therefrom andpreferably having a transversely disposed head f round in cross section,secured to its upper end. G represents the controling lever which ismounted pivotally in a suitable standard or casing G, so that it can beswung both la erally and longitudinally. prefer to pivot the leverbetween its ends a bl ck r ly'means of a pingrthe said lock lavinggudgeons. g ,9? engaging apertures 1n the casmgGr. thus. mounting thelever practically on a universal joint. The

lower end of lever (r provided with a yoke.

, portions eonneriedhv transversely disposed portions. so that the leverG cannot he moved troni one .longiuidnial POl'i'l'Ull to another withoutmoving it: laterally.

In the form shown in Fig. 2. there are four longitudinal portions. 71./z. lz ii. of which 71, and l are in line with eaeh other and 1'1 andit. are in ali'nenient. il' hen the lever is at the rear end oi? theportion A of the slot. as shown in dotted lines Fig. it.- will he inneutral position. To throw in. the firstv or slowest speed the leverpushed forward to the end of the portion a, to throw in second speed.the lever is moved laterally. into line with the portion i2? and thenpushed forward to the end of said portion 1 to throw in third speed, thelever is moved laterally into portion '5 and thrown forward. The effectof the first of these "lllOVQlllQlllS' in setting the gears for thefirst speed forward is to slide the rod )3, yoke f. and sleeve 13"rearward and to bring the gear 6 into mesh with pinion .2; the furthermove ment of the lever in setting the gears for see- 0nd speed moves thesleeve B further so as to bring gear 7 into mesh with pinion 3. and

the high speed is elieeted when the lever is moved to its extremeposition in slot section 11 by a further movement of the sleeve B tobring gear S into mesh with pinion -l.

In order to reverse the vehicle, sap-posing the lever G to be in itsneutral position as shown in Fig. 1 and in dotted lines Fig. 2, thelever is, thrown to the rightv into slot section h and then rearwardlytothe end of the slot, thus moving rod F in the opposite direction to thatabove described and hringiig gear 6 into mesh with the idler 5. which ipreferably made with a broader face than t e gear (301' pinion 'l, asshown to faeiliiate this operation. I also provide means for locking thelever G in position at eaeh end of each .of the slot sections i1, 71. 11.71 In this'instanee l have shown plate l'l provided with detents l1 /1'at each end of each of said. slot sections. adapted to he engaged by.

one or the other of the. pawls f, on a eollar sliding on said lever. andoperatively eonnected by a link with a pawl lever arranged ad aeent tothe handle This construc-tlon provides for lOCliHlQ the lever hath inand out of operative position. with respect to each of the gear changes.i also provide means for locking the lever against.

ally as in passing: i'ra eoaaee ere. to another the with the lever.".lhe loo vided with aplnraiit er 5 Z Z corresponding to the nniniwrslot sections (two of such. a pert shown in l ig. 5)., whieli are adaqengaged lay a spria looking hoit M. an ed in the casing and 1 :oviaf espring m a connection m. extend bolt. to the lever e which operate-=- D(by means of mei'ihanisni shown). the parts being 1;; the plate lremains in i i the lever l is moved ii, by the arrow F l. to release. iwhen the bolt Bl. is. withdrawn ani L released. thus .'lliilll'ii,{ anient oi lever a, when it thi clutch is thrown out of operativeposition.

.111 Fin. (3 I ha ve shown a slightly modiael form of guiding plate inwhieh the long jadinal slotv SQL'llOllS are so arane'ed that. two are inline with earn other. hot ii'i are in font sepaate lines extending/pvt2! lYlly' from one side of the plate to the Oil .r

and eonneeted h v transverse slot; portio shown. The lever (l indicatedneutral position. {iilh this form the lot-hing: plate must he eorrespmodified by providing it with Your 2 holes F. Z. 7. as showrrin l iggj.'e". wise the entire eonstrnetioie will he exactly as previouslydescribed. and will operate in the same way.

In Fig. 3% l have shown another sli' nioditied form of the guidingplate. in slot sections it and la. for the reverse and first speedpositions are arfanejed live with eaeh other. the other slot, seetionsand i1 heing: progressively in se'piirate line-s from ear-h other andfrom slot sections 72' and 11. as shown. in this ezse l eonvenientlvprovide a pair of pivoted taps or latches la 71- mounted on the plateiii. and adapted to lie aeross the alined slots 71 and 71. so as toseparate the same and prevent operator from coming on. of first speedreetl'y into reverse. or vice; versa. "Ruse latches or flaps areconnected in such a "iiii that only one can lie across the slots adrive.

902,560 fit.

time, the other being held vertical. In this instance I provide thehinge portion of each flap with a stud H (see Fig. 8 engaging anaperture in one end of a lever it pivoted centrally to the under side ofthe plate H which is slotted to permit the studs [L7 to pass through thesameand engage the lever.

d Hence when one of these flaps is raised the lever it will be shiftedso as to throw the other flap into horizontal position. In case theplate shown in Fig. 8 is used. the locking plate must be modified tocorrespond by providing it'with three locking apertures Z, Z Z as shownin Fig. 9. otherwise the construction and'operation will be exactly aspreviously described.

In some cases the change speed and reversing mechanism may be soconstructed that separate instrumentalities may be required for theforward speeds. and the reverse. In Fig. 10 I have shown a slightmodification of my controlling device, to meet this. condition. In thisfigure F represents the rod for. moving the gears .to effect the changesof speed forward. and F 2 represents a separate rod suitably connectedwith the mechanism to effect the reverse The rod F is provided with anarm having the transverse h'ead f similar to that previously describedand rod F has a similar arm haying a head f in line with the head fObviously the lateral movement of the lower end of the'lever herelettered G from. its neutral. to the right will cause it to release themain head f and engage the head f, when the reversingmechanism can bethrown into and out'of operation. This form ofimech'anism as shown inFig. 10 -can be used with a guiding plate, such as is shown in Fig. 6for example, or similar to'that shown iii-Fig. 1 as may be, preferred. i

In Figs. 11 and 12 I have shown a modi= fication of my invention for thepurpose of locking the lever so that after pulling the lever in adirection to disengage the gears for a certain speed. it" willbeimpossible to return to that speed without first releasing the clutch!In Fig..11 a v ew is shown similar to Fig. 1. in which G represents theshifting lever and F the-shi ting rod connected with the sliding geargears and L is the locking plate, all as /previously de scribed. In thisinstance I have shown the bolt M for engaging the locking plate, carriedon 'the end of one arm of a bell crank lever'M the other armofwhich isperforated to receive a draw rod connected with the clutch lever I Theoperation of the plate L" is identically the same as that of the plate Lpreviously described.

lt representsadaterally movable locking plate. \vhi'chI term the latchplate-to distinguish it from l'o'ckingplate L. This latch plate R ispreferablypivoted at one end, and

is provided with a. series of teeth 9', W, T each having a straight faceand an inclined fate, as shown in Fig. 12. In this figiire the dottedflines indicate the-path of the positions to high speedythe lever beingguided in such movements by theplate H shown in detail in Fig. The latchplate R is held in operative position by spring 0", and'is connected. asby rod 1' with the clutch 1 so as to be moved laterally when the clutchlever is pressed forward in the direction of the arrow to release theclutch. \Vhen the lever G is in neutral position the straight face ofthe tooth or shoulder 7" lies directly in rear of the lower end of saidlever. so that the lever cannot be moved to throw in the firstspeedgwithout first throwing the clutch out. thereby moving the latchplate laterally and disengaging the shoulder r from the lever. Glaterally in line with the second speed notch (Fig. 2) the shoulder 1-will prevent the second speed gearing being thrown in except while theclutch is out, and in like manner shoulder 1 prevents the passing fromsecond to third or high speed except when the clutch is out. lvhen thelever is in neutral position (Figs. 2 and 12) and is swung laterally inline with the reverse slot. the reverse gearing cannot be thrown in,unless the clu'tch is out. as the shoulder 7- prevents the movement ofthe lever G to effect such change. The inclined faces of the shouldersor teeth 1*. 1' '2" permit the operator to pull the lever G out ofreverse, to neutral, from first speed to neutral and from a higher speedto a lower, .without throwing out the clutch. if it is desired to dothis quickly but will effectually prevent the throwing in of reverse. orfirst speed, or any higher speed without first disengaging the clutch.This latch plate may be used in connection with other forms of gearingthan that herein shown. as for example selective gearing, by suitablemodification and it may be used with or without the locking plate I1 01In. I The controlling mechanism herein shown is'adapted for use with anyform of .-hange speed and reversing mechanism having any desired numberof speeds forward or reverse. 'lVhile I have shown a particular form ofchange speed and reverse mechanism herein for the better understamlingof my inven tion such change speed and reverse mech anism forms nopartof my invention and the invention isnot limited to use in connectiontherewith.

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Lettcrs Patent is:- T

1. -In-a.controllingdevice for motor vehicles, the combination with asingle shifting After swinging the lever v deviceoi' a single operatinglever, pivotally mounted so as to be capable of lateral and hack-andforth movements, a guiding plate engaging one end of the lever andprovided with longitudinally disposed slotted portions, in dilierenttransverse p 'anes'. and connected by transversely disposed slottedportions, the lower end of the lever engaging said shitting device, thee izaged portions of said lever and shifting device.permitting thelateral movements or the lever from one slot section to any other slotsection without disengagement of said parts. substantially as described.

2.. in a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination with asingle shitting device, of a eperating lever, pivotally mounted so as tocapable of lateral and back and forth movements, a guiding plateengaging one end of the lever andprovided W} ongitudinally disposedslotted .por-

n different transverse planes, andconi y transversely disposed slottedporie lower'end of the lever engaging "hitting" device, the ei.iga'gedportions of said-lever and shifting device permitting the-lateralmovements of the lever from one slot section to any other slot sectionwithout disengagement of said parts, a locking device for positivelylocking the lever in line with any one of the longitudinally disposedslot-sectinns, and a device independent, of the movements of said lever,for releasing the locking device, substantially as described.

' 3. In a Controlling device for motor veinches, the combination with asingle shifting device for setting the gears thereot tor forward speeds,of a single operating lever pivotally mounted so as to be capable of aswinging movement laterally and also backward and forward, a guidingplate having longitudinally disposedslottcd portions in diller; enttransverse planes. and connected by transversely disposed slotted portons, tor engagra -lug the said lever. one end of said lever engagingsaid shitting device. and being movable laterally with respect thereto,without a disengaging the same. means for locking said lever againstlateral movement from one of said longitudinal slot sedtions to another,and operative connections betweensaid locking means and the main clutchlever. for releasing said locking means onlywhenthe clutch is released.substantially as described.

.4. lira controlling device for motor veh'icles, the combination with asingle shifting device for setting the gears thereof for forward speeds,of a single operating lever pivotally mounted so a to be capable of aswinging movement laterally and also back ward and forward, a guidingplate having lon,, :itudinall vv disposed slot-ted portions indililerenttransverse planes. and cormccted by transversely disposedslotted portions. tor engaging'the said lever, one end of said levereoaseo engaging. said shifting device, and being movable laterally withrespect thereto, without disengaging the same, a transversely movablelocking plate, having a longitudinally disposed slot engaging saidlever, locking means for locking said plate in position against lateralmovement, and operative connections between said locking means and themain clutch lever for releasing said plate and lever only when theclutchis released,

substantially as described.

5-. In a controlling device for motor vehicles, the coii binatimi with agear shifting device, of a single hand operated lever, pivotally mountedso as to be capable of swinging laterally and also backward and forward,the lower end of said lever being constructed to engage said shiftingdevice and capable of moving laterally with respect thereto withoutdisengaging the same and a guiding plate engagingthe said lever aboveits pivotal support, and having longitudinal slot portions arranged indifferent planes t'ansversely of the plate and connected by transverseslot portions, means for locking said lever with respect to said plateagainst movement longitudinally thereof, and separate locking devicesforholding said lever against lateral movement, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination with agear shifting device, of a single hand operated lever, pivotall vmounted so as to be capable of swinging laterally and also backward andforward, the

lower end of said lever being constructed to engage said shifting deviceand capable of moving laterally with respect thereto without disengagingthe same anda guiding plate engaging the said lever above its pivotalsupport, and having longitudinalslot portions arranged in difi'ere'ntplanes transversely of the plate and connected by transverse slotportions, locking detents on said plate adjacent to the extremities ofsaid longitudinal slot portions, a movable pawl carried by said lever'for engaging said detents, a laterally movable locking plate having alongitudinally disposed slot engaging said lever, and a locking deviceengaging said locking plate and holding it and said lever againstlateral movement,substantially as d scribed.

T. In a controlling device for motor vehicles. the combination with agear shifting device.of a single hand operated lever, pivotallv mountedso as to be capable of swinging 120- laterally and also backward andforward, the

lower end of said lever being constructed to engage said shifting deviceandca iable of moving laterally with respect thereto without disengagingthe same and a guiding plate 125 portions, locking detents on'saidplate'adj'a- 7 eoaseo cent to' the extremities. of said longitudinal slot portons, a movable pawl carried by said lever for engaging said detents, alaterally movable locking plate having a longitudinally disposed slotengaging said lever, a

' locking device en aging said locking plate and holding it an saidleveragainst lateral movement, and. 'o e'rative connections be+' tweensaid lockingevice and the clutch lever forreleasing th cking plate onlywhen the clutch is released,--s ubstantially as described.

8: In a controlling device for motor v'ehicles,, the combination with agear shifting device of a single hand operated lever, pivot ally mountedso as to be capable of swinging laterallyandalso backward and forward,the

lower end of said lever having a portion of less width than the adjacentportion of the shiftingjdevice which engages the same, and

being capable of lateral movement with respect thereto withoutdisengaging the shifting device, aguiding plate engaging the upper endof'sa1d lever provided with'a pluralityof longitudinal slot portionslocated in different planes transversely of said 'plate and connected bytransverse slot portions, a laterally sliding-plate having alongitudinally disposed slot engaging the lever'and provided with-aplurality oflocking apert'ures corresponding to the number of differentplanes in which the longitudinal slot sections of the guiding plate arearranged, and

, alocking device for engaging one or other of saidlocking apertures tolock the said locking? anism for setting the gears thereof for forwardspeeds and reverse, of a hand lever for operating said shiftingmechanism, pivotally mounted so asto be capable of swinging laterallyvand also backward and forward, a

guiding plate ha'ving longitudinally and transversely disposed slottedportions, for

gu'idin vided with projections, opposing the movehicles,

ment of said lever into reverse or any forward speed position, and meansfor moving said latch plate laterally to withdraw said projections fromthe path of said lever, substa'ntially as described. 7

10. In a controlling device for motor vethe combination with shiftingmechanism for setting the gears thereof for forward speeds and reverse,of a hand lever for operating said shifting mechanism, pivotally mountedso as to be capable of swinging laterally and also backward and forward,a

guiding plate having longitudinally and transversely disposed slottedportions, for uiding said lever, and a-latch plate provided withprojections, opposing the mavescribed.

said lever, and a latch plate pro-f ment of said leverintoreverse or anyforward'speed position, and a connection between said latch plate andthe clutch lever,

for withdrawing said projections from the path of said lever, when theclutch is thrown out, substantially as described.

' 11. In a controlling device for motor ve hieles, the combination withmechanismfor setting the gears thereoii. ward speeds and reverse, of ahand lever for or foroperating said shifting mechanism, pivota-rllymounted so as to be capable of swinging laterally and also backward andforward,.a

guiding plate having longitudinally and transversely disposed slottedportions, for guiding said lever, and a latch plate provided withprojections opposing the movement of said lever into reverse or anyforward speed position, said projections having beveled portions topermit the lever to move 'freelypast said projections in one direction,and a connection betweensaid latch plate and the clutch lever forwithdrawing said projections from the path ofsaid lever when the'clutchis thrown out, substantially as de- 12.. In a controlling device formotor vehicles, the combination with gear shifting mechanism, of a handlever for operating said shifting mechanism, pivotally mounted so as tobe capable of swinging'laterally and also backward and forward, aguiding plate for said lever provided with longitudinally andtransversely disposed slotted portions, a locking plate engaging saidlever, means for locking said plate to prevent the lateral movement ofsaid lever, a latch plate provided with looking projections opposing themovement of said lever into reverse or any forward speed position, andmeans for moving said latch plate laterally to withdraw said projectionsfrom the path of said lever, substantiallyns described.

13. In a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination withgear shifting mechanism, of a hand lever for operating said shiftingmechanism, pivotally mounted so as to be capable of swinging laterallyand also backward and forward. a guiding plate for said lever providedwith longitudinally and transversely disposed slotted portions, alocking plate engaging said lever, means for locking said plate toprevent the lateral movement of said lever, a latch plate provided withlocking projections opposing the movement of said lever into reverse orany forward speed position, and a connection between said latch plateand the clutch lever for moving 'said plate laterally and withdrawingsaid projections from the path of the lever, when the clutch is thrownout, substantially as described.

14. In a controlling device for motor vehicles, the combination withgear shifting mechanism, of ,a hand lever for operat ng lever forreleasing said locking plate when the clutch lever is thrown out, andaeonneotion between said ldl'Cll plateand the eluteh levei forWithdrawing said proj'eetions from the path of the lever when the clutchlever is thrown out, suhsoantielly as described.

.In testimony whereof I affix my Signatui'e inthe presence of twoWitnesses.

' HARRY T. COLDWELL.

Witnesses:

E. C. Ross, NM. A. COLDWELL.

